>Are other species in addition to Swainson's Hawks involved in the
>pesticide-induced die-off in Argentina? I am thinking in particular of other
>North American grassland species wintering in Argentina, e.g. golden plover,
>upland sandpiper, and bobolink. What about other South American species,
>including the scavengers e.g. carcara and vultures that are quickly consuming
>the dead Swainson's Hawk carcasses.
>

The hawks, shorebirds and bobolinks winter in different places in
Argentina so they are not likely suffering from the same catastrophe.
However, if these pesticides are in wide use throughout for insect control,
some of the other species may also be affected. One bird that came to mind
was the Mississippi Kite which winters just to the north of where the
Swainson's Hawks spend the non-breeding season, however that part of
Argentina is mostly used for cattle grazing and wood extraction, to make
charcoal to barbecue the cattle (a little Argentine ecosystem). The local
White-tailed and Red-backed Hawks may be getting nailed hard as well, not to
mention American Kestrels as all of these may munch on insects from time to
time. I imagine that Cattle Tyrants and Great Kiskadees will be suffering.
Depending on how this toxin bioaccumulates, my guess is that the Caracaras
and vultures may be getting it as well...never mind the foxes, skunks, wild
cats and other creatures in the area.

>I was absolutely stunned when this post appeared on BirdChat yesterday, and
>surprised that it has yet to generate any discussion if not just plain
>outrage (some on Tweeters, none in BirdChat). Is there any precident where
>such a large number of individuals of any one species has ever been
>similarily impacted?

I was away from my computer all day today (yes its true) but was planning on
sending out some of my own info on Swainson's Hawks in Argentina later. I
will cc to tweeters. As far as the death toll comparisons, I think that
fishing nets have killed as many birds in Cascadia n'est pa? In any case,
the news from Argentina is disturbing. I would like to know more about this
chemical i.e. who makes it, who uses it, what it is used for specifically etc.






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